Tag Archives: meditation

So many people tend to think that when you enter into meditation and into the silence that the silence is empty and a void. That in this silence we are meant to experience nothing and just be. However, nothing could be further from the truth. The silence is not empty, it is filled with God. We live in the midst of silence even though we probably think that we do not. In between each and every one of your thoughts, there is silence. No matter how fast you may think your mind is spinning there is a space between each and ever thought you have. In between each and every word you speak, there is silence. Between each and every breath you take, there is silence. What happens is that because those periods of silence are so little known and experienced by us we miss a great opportunity to experience the fullness of God. When we stop and allow that silence to be elongated, to be stretched out and become a more intentional experience, we are able to absorb more of that beautiful Spiritual presence and truth in our lives.

Why settle for a thimble full of Spirit when you can have a bucketful? Why settle for a little experience of God in your life when you can experience a miracle? Why limit the presence of Divine Action in your life when you can see the unlimited, omnipresence of God/Spirit create for you the life you truly desire?

Dwelling in the stillness, in the silence, is the most pure form of contemplation we can ever experience. The indwelling and all encompassing silence of God being Its fullest self deep inside of us, connecting us fully with the truth of who God has created us all to be.

Presbyterian minister and author James Finley has written, “When engaged in contemplation, we rest in God resting in us.”

“Abide in me as I abide in you. ” (Luke 15:4)

Affirmation: “Each moment is filled with all the wonder of God. When I stop to dwell in one of those moments my life becomes so much richer and more meaningful.”

“Do not conformto the pattern of this world,but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12: 2)

This scripture, from the Apostle Paul, is one that has long engaged me for much reflection and study throughout my life. And from Pauls’ letter to the church in Philippi, (Philippians 2: 5), “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” This is a theme that appears in Paul’s writings often. It is an idea that was very important to him and one that he felt foundational for first century followers of the Christ and church to understand and to live. To the Roman church in his letter he wrote that we are to have relationship and spiritual companionship with Jesus Christ and in doing so we are “to allow God to transform us inwardly by the complete renewing of our minds.” In his letter to the church in Corinth he wrote that, “we are to have the same mind of Christ.” To the church at Philippi, “put on the mind which was in Christ Jesus.” To the Apostle Paul one cannot even begin to understand Jesus until we have a Christ Consciousness of service as did Jesus himself.

So, what is this Christ Consciousness that Paul is asking us to have? If you were to ask that question of Paul he would tell you that Jesus was speaking of a particular level of human consciousness when he told us these comforting words, “the Kingdom of heaven is within.” There it is. The kingdom of heaven is within. We need look no further than within our very selves, each and every one of us, to find that for which we have so long been searching. Within. Right where we are at this and every moment. Not far off – over there – or over there – or out there – but within. Right here.

Being transformed by the renewing of our minds is our remembering that which is within. Being transformed by the renewing of our minds and remembering to seek the mind of Christ in all that we do, think and say changes our game plan for what is about to happen in our lives and the lives of those around us.

The mind of Jesus. Think on that for a moment. What mind did Jesus demonstrate for us as he traveled about in his life and ministry?

It was the mind of Jesus that never saw the people he encountered along his journeys as “the other.” It was this mind that never labeled these people as worthy or unworthy of his attention. Jesus certainly understood the teachings of his elders, certainly the Pharisees, that this or that group is untouchable, not part of us and separate and out of favor with God’s plan. Each time I read the stories that include the Pharisees I am amazed, and yet amazed yet again, to see how narrow-minded and opinionated they were. They witnessed the healings of Jesus time and time again. Each time they saw Jesus heal someone they too had an opportunity to be healed of their bigotry and to be transformed into new life, but they just couldn’t see what was before them. The mind of Jesus reached out to the hurting, the sick, the lame, the blind, people all around him. In the mind of Jesus he didn’t ever see people as “the unworthy.” He saw them as human beings, creations of a loving God, he saw them as souls that were longing to experience new life and new possibility for their lives. The mind of Jesus never saw defeat and pain when the truth of God’s presence was right there. He saw that there was victory and abundant blessings available for all. To have the mind of Christ is to have what we in the 21st century call NON-DUEL THINKING. Not a “this or that,” not a feeling of being “separate,” not a “you vs. me,” and certainly not a need to label everything putting certain things down so one can feel superior. But he understood the unity of humanity as all living in the Kingdom of Heaven right here, right where we are now and always. Each of us together – united as one.

In Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” or “Kingdom of God” meant being in God’s very holy presence. Each person he encountered he saw as citizens of this kingdom. Each person he saw – each thought that he had – was a thought of blessing and peace and possibility for all.

In our more modern time I look at the life and ministry of Mother Teresa and see one who not only had the mind of Christ but was transformed over and over again as her work transformed the lives of all those with whom she touched. No “this or that” thinking in her life. She saw all as precious children. Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, everyone.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. A renewing that shifts your thinking from seeing with blinders – and through a veil – and to make a decision to see and to serve as Christ saw and served.

Can you imagine if this was how everyone saw life? Wow. If we all saw our world through a mind of Non-Duel thinking and belief? No longer would there be bigotry, racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, homophobia, anti-semitism, misogyny, hatred, lies and the biggest hurdle to our lives – FEAR.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

But the Apostle also charged us do something else. He wrote, “Do not be conformed to this world.” A tall order isn’t it? Easy – not so much. Possible – yes. Paul cautions us – that as we look around seeing lies and distrust and people who do business with questionable ethics, with greed as ones motivation and goal, who speak falsely and hurtfully about others, as we see them puff themselves up to feel superior – as we look around and witness that – that we not fall into that way of living. Do not see that as so present that we come to accept that as the new norm. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Seeing what is around you -choose another path. Make another decision. Set your intention to be one of LOVE and dwelling in the perfect presence of Spirit.

Where do you want to be? What do you want to experience? What is your destination of choice?

Fear is perhaps one, if not the, most terrifying force that our “world” would like for us to dwell in. Fear will stop us in our forward movement of life each and every time. Fear will entangle us in the worlds orbit so fast we won’t even know we are orbiting in it until something catastrophic happens to us. Fear will change our perceptions of life, focus our vision to latching onto negativity and it will devastate us. But, do not conform to the world. To fear. To the system that seeks to suck you in.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Seek love. Remember to pray. Meditate. To talk with God/Spirit. Remember the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, right where you are, so God is right with you. Within. Waiting, longing for your presence at every moment. This is true in whatever faith you practice. Spirit is with you. Are you with It?

We have to live in this world, but we can change this world. In our present day world, in the midst of our lives, filled with the everyday ups and downs of modern life, surrounded by a mindset – ever so prominent – that can foster and nurture a defeatist attitude and tear us apart, the apostle tells us to not dwell in that negativity, but to see our world and our place in this world as Jesus would beckon us to see and experience. The world will be forever with us, but, yes, we can change this world.

I think the words of the bumper sticker are very true. “Change your thinking – change your life.”

Paul writes of a freedom of spirit that awaits us whenever we make the decision to turn to it, recognize it, recalculate, reboot and accept it as our way of life. He tells us that Spirit is near. As close as our very next thought.

“And after Jesus dismissed the crowds, he went up to the mountain by himself to pray.” (Matthew 14:23)

I set today aside as a dedicated “me” day. I don’t mean for that to sound selfish or ego driven, but today I decided to concentrate on those things that would bring me inner peace, joy, energy and inspiration.

I started out earlier than usual today and began with some meditation. Turning within, communicating with the always present Perfect Spirit of God, and setting forth my intention for the day. A day to feed myself both physically and spiritually for my journey onward. After meditation and a protein shake it was off to the gym. A brisk half hour on the treadmill and then a tour of the machines for some muscle exercise. It felt good, I had fed my body the physical life support that we should all do to stay healthy, strong and fit.

That was step one. Returning home (and vowing that there would be no TV news today to throw off my communion with my spiritual source) I put on some sacred chanting music and read for several hours from a couple of inspirational books. More mediation has followed. I did meet a friend of an iced tea at a neighborhood spot knowing that our conversations are always life affirming and positive affirmations of a deep friendship walking with, and supporting, one another through the ups and downs of life. This was good. It was unexpected, but a pleasant addition to my “me” day. (I think it is important when we have these Sabbath days that we remain open to what may come our way that can add to our experience of peace, knowing that we can always decline any invitations that might throw us into a negative space).

The rest of my afternoon, after a lovely lunch on the back deck of the house, will consist of more reading and deep reflection. It is a lovely cool day today and perfect for being with nature. Tonight I will cap off my day attending a beautiful Taize meditation service that is led by a friend of mine and is always followed with a potluck for fellowship with those in attendance.

Why do I write all of this? From someone who is good about going to the gym and trying to eat right (as I know many of you also do) it also occurs to me that though we can be good about feeding our bodies we all too often starve our spirits. Our spirits also need nourishment and a chance to in turn nourish us. Taking time for meditation, prayer, reflection and affirming the presence of God all around, through, and as us, is an important part of helping us to lead abundant productive loving lives. We can get, and do, become so distracted with the events of life that tending to our spiritual self most often gets pushed aside until we suddenly face some crisis. Then we stop and wonder what happened. Well, what happened is that we were running on empty. Our spiritual self was being neglected and our conscious human minds were thrown into a state of “I have to do everything myself.” (Or worse). What happened in that moment probably would have happened anyway, but when we run on empty we are much more likely to react negatively before we think, make the wrong choices and make a bigger mess out of things. Running on empty we are less likely to handle life’s occurrences in the ways we would much rather be engaged.

Maybe there is not a whole day we can always set aside, but that should never stop us. Never forget to feed your spirit. A few moments of meditation, a positive affirmative prayer of thanksgiving, even a “thank you Spirit/God for always being with me,” will feed you in so many beautiful ways. A nourished spirit and deep personal spiritual practice will always be a life changer.

Okay, writing this mediation has been a great part of my “me” day. Thanks for sharing a bit of it with me.

Affirmation: “I stop and say thank you for the presence of Spirit/God that is always the source and engine of my life. Wow, that felt great!”

“Faith is built up from belief, acceptance and trust. Whenever anything enters our thought which destroys, in any degree, one of these attitudes, to that extent faith is weakened.” (Ernest Holmes)

Why do we say affirmations of faith and belief? Why, for over nine years now, have I written an affirmation at the end of this column and why do I send out a positive affirmation each morning on Twitter? We say affirmations of faith because they remind us, in a positive and uplifting way, of who we are as God’s precious creation.

But are these words powerful? No, not in and of themselves. We can say these words, and carry around affirmation cards by the bundle, but we have to believe and proclaim that what the message is saying to us is the truth about who we are. They are to remind us that as spiritual beings our humanity has enormous potential and purpose.

Our words alone can’t get us there, but our feelings, experiences, the stirring of our soul and our inner belief become a state of mind that changes us. What affirmations do is get us going in the right direction. They remind us of the truth of who we are as God’s creation. They remind us that as spiritual beings our search for our humanity is a process. Each day we can move closer toward the fullness of our humanity, and our spiritual nature, becoming true and real partners with one another in this marvelous thing that we call life. Our affirmative thinking picks us up when we stumble and it gives us hope that in the darkness of life there is still light waiting for us up ahead.

When Jesus healed the blind, the lame, the bleeding, when he raised Lazarus or the little girl from the dead, he was seeing beyond the appearance of the physical and seeing through to the truth of the spiritual. Jesus saw possibility where it is all too easy for us to see limitation. Limitation is merely an illusion of a fragmented mind, but as we meditate upon, affirm and proclaim that unlimited Spirit moves in and through us, acting as us, we can begin to shatter that illusion of separateness and lack and begin to see the Divine Light of Spirit as the true energy and vibration of all that we are.

Why affirmations, why affirmative thinking? They remind us of who we are as the perfect creation of an unlimited Creator God. They stir up our realization and recognition that the Spirit of God dwells within us and is always available to us to meet our needs at this and every moment.

Affirmation: “I let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart reveal the fullness of God’s presence.”

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” (Romans 12: 12)

Poet and author Marion Woodman has written a statement filled with truth: “A flower won’t open if I yell at it and say ‘Bloom!’”

Many of us spend much of our time yelling at life to become what we would like it to be. We try really hard to force circumstances into being a certain way and we often rail aloud if things don’t go the way we think they should. Just like our flower, we can yell at life all we want, but the truth is it is going to bud and bloom in its own time.

We do this with God as well. Maybe if we just prayed “louder” God would finally hear us. Maybe if we shouted and stomped our foot for emphasis God would really get the message. The answer is not to get louder, but to become quieter. We are never going to understand God’s answer over our shouting, but we will find it in the quiet, in the silence. In our stillness we will begin to understand and to see how the answer we seek is developing, growing and reaching out to us. Like the flower, we will see that our answer begins in a small way, grows with us through some time, and begins to bloom for us as our recognition and vision becomes clear as to what this answer means to us in a very deep and meaningful way. The more we begin to find comfort and peace in the waiting the more our answer will come into focus before us. Be still, be silent, be confident. God loves you and will show you all you need to know just when you need to know it.

Affirmation: “My answer began before my prayer was ever uttered. God is in my prayer, in my answer and also in my waiting.”

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

In Marjorie Thompson’s book Soul Feast she asks, and then answers, a very interesting question. “Is it God’s work or our work that makes things happen? The answer to both, is yes!” This quote from her book says so much as we endeavor to have relationship with God. God of course is capable of doing mighty and beautiful things in our lives, but we have a part to play in that as well. We have to keep alert, to recognize the blessings of God that abound in our lives and to be in communion with God in gratitude. Sometimes the easiest way to do that is to stop and, even in the midst of trial and strife, look for the blessings and gifts that God has provided us. We start counting our blessings, from the really big things, to the smallest of things, and what we discover is that the list just goes on and on. It has no end. The unlimitedness of God pours out a treasure for us to accept. As a wise minister from my childhood used to say, “God is in the blessing business.” When we begin, with gratitude, to concentrate on all of the many gifts of God it seems that more just keep coming.

Meditate on your blessings, visualize the gifts that Spirit has poured out to you. Use your gifts to bless and affirm others. Your well can never run dry for Spirit God is infinite abundance and peace.

Affirmation: “Stopping to recognize the blessings of God, I see that they are indeed never ending and a feast for my soul.”

Perhaps one of my all time favorite songs is “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II for their Broadway musical “Carousel” it has never failed to lift me up when I have felt down. It has always brought me feelings of being closer to Spirit/God in times of stress or upset and it has always brought sensations of joy and happiness to my heart. Just hearing this song causes me to think thoughts of possibility, new adventures and new hope. It’s as if in the darkest of situations suddenly I remember that there is a light up ahead that will shower me with a new day and a new realization that even in those darkest moments I had not been abandoned.

This song was sung (at my request) at my ordination into ministry and filled me with excitement as I contemplated what lay ahead for me. On Palm Sunday two years ago the song was sung by Trisha Yearwood on television in the spectacular program “The Passion” and the night I saw this I just had to rewind the DVR several times and re-watch her magnificent rendition. I was brought to tears of joy and feelings of the presence of God washing all around me.

Whenever I am about to embark on a new project, a new adventure and especially a move to a new location, this song seems to just naturally come to mind. I wonder if it’s authors knew when they wrote it what amazing impact it would have in the years ahead. It speaks of a great and wonderful truth for us today; that through our lives we can never walk alone, for Spirit/God is always right where we are at every moment. We need not look far off in strange places to find this presence, but we need only look within. The beating of our hearts, the moving of our breath is a wonderful sign of Spirit’s presence and activity in our lives. In what we are doing now, and where we are going, through the deepest valleys of life and through the highest mountains of experience, we are loved unconditionally.

God is always a God of “What’s next?” As close as our very next thought. God is always a God of creating something wonderfully exciting for us to experience. And God is always right with us at every moment, giving us everything we need, just as, and when, we need it.

“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Recently I had my annual eye exam. Time to check my vision, order new contacts and make sure my glasses (for those times I put the contacts on hiatus) are up to date. It was nice to be told by the doctor that my vision has actually improved. I had sensed this, but having confirmation was great.

Seeing clearly to navigate our journey of life without mishap and to enjoy the creation of a loving God all around us is important. I think since I have also been studying Mindfulness Meditation, and practiced bringing my awareness repeatedly back to the present moment, (and away from distracted thinking) the world that I observe around me has gained exceedingly more meaning and beauty. The colors may not actually be brighter, the sounds more rich and the smells more fragrant, but they sure do feel that way to me.

As important as our physical vision is to seeing the beauty all around us, having a spiritual vision and connection with Spirit/God is also vital to our living the abundant life that Jesus promised us.

Our walk with Spirit/God is an exciting one. It is one that grows each and every day as we continue to build that relationship. Perhaps one of the most important practices for me is to begin each day with Spirit/God. First thing in the morning, before anything else leads me into distraction, I like to go into that quiet place and rest there with the Spirit that can perfectly prepare me for the day ahead. Sometimes I have many things to discuss with God in prayer and other times all I do is meditate on “thank you.” Either way, how we prepare to meet the day and its obligations determines how we will deal with the twists and turns that may meet us up ahead.

Our spiritual vision and understanding does get clearer as we practice being in the presence of our loving creator. Even in the rush of a busy day, driving through traffic, shopping in the grocery store, or with whatever we are doing, just remembering we are indeed “in the presence” can clear our way forward.

A wise and gifted teacher of mine years ago challenged us to throughout the day give conscious thought to our “being in the presence.” I have found that in doing so I do indeed see more clearly, hear more profoundly and experience Spirit’s grace more deeply.

Our scripture above ends with, “even as I have been fully known.” How comforting to realize that God knows us so deeply, loves us so unconditionally and in spite of our shortcomings holds us as a cherished citizens of Spirit’s creation.

Spirit/God has so much to reveal to us and is experiencing us fully and lovingly as we are experiencing it. I, for one, don’t want to miss out on anything.

Affirmation: “The fog lifts and the way is clear. Thank you God. That’s all, just thank you.”

“The Spirit within me refreshes me daily. I feel myself saturated with the Life Essence Itself; I feel the same Life Essence flowing in me.” (Dr. Ernest Holmes)

So many people tend to think that when we enter into meditation and into the silence that the silence is empty and a void. That it is darkness, that it is without substance or purpose. Nothing could be further from the truth. The silence is not empty, it is filled with Spirit/God. We have sacred substance inside of each of us. We live in the midst of silence even though we probably think that we do not. In between each and every one of your thoughts, there is silence. No matter how fast you may think your mind is spinning, there is a space between each and ever thought you have. In between each and every word you speak, there is silence. Millions of moments of silence make up our day. These periods of beautiful pauses are available for discovery. Discovery of who we truly are and discovery of the presence of Spirit/God who has created us to be magnificent beings.

Because those periods of silence are so little known and experienced by us we miss a great opportunity to experience the fullness of God, deep within us, right where we are at every moment. A divine presence that is the true make up of our own spiritual DNA. When we stop and allow that silence to be elongated, to be stretched out and become a more intentional experience, we are able to absorb more of that beautiful Spiritual presence and truth in our lives. We are able to let millions of thoughts and impulses connect more deeply with our conscious mind and move us to seeing new and exciting possibilities in our lives. Even a few minutes of contemplative silence can make a huge difference. Why settle for a thimble full of Spirit when you can have a bucketful?

Easy to do? Of course not. Not because Spirit is unwilling to speak and make Itself known to us, but because our human minds love to race from one thought to another with lightening fast speed. Nothing wrong with this, we don’t beat ourselves up about it, it is just how we are built. But what I do know is that taking some time to be conscious of our breathing, keeping our focus on the breath in and out, is the beginning to our experiencing the amazing power of Spirit that lives within us. When the mind wanders again, and it will, just bring the focus back to your breathing. I also like to visualize the amazing light of Spirit all around, moving through and around me as I sit quietly. Always returning to the breath, in and out. Another thought arrives, don’t dwell there, just recognize it and let it go, back to the breath. It does get easier, like exercising a new muscle. Do we fail when we allow our minds to fly off into extraneous thinking? Of course not. Again, it is natural. Each time we return our thought to the breath we have actually celebrated an amazing new victory. We will certainly celebrate hundreds of new victories within a single time of meditation.

There are many wonderful techniques for quiet meditation that I like. Mindfulness meditation (as described here) especially helps me to power down from the craziness of life and emerge renewed, empowered and ready for what is next in this wonderful journey of life Spirit has given us.

This is the most pure form of contemplation we can ever experience. The indwelling and all encompassing silence of God being Its fullest self deep inside of us, right where we are. The merging of our humanity with our spiritual self. This divine unity is the seed from which all miracles can soon blossom.

I love the words of Presbyterian minister and author James Finley who has written, “When engaged in contemplation, we rest in God resting in us.”

Affirmation: God invites us to sit with Spirit in the silence and be changed, inspired and renewed. Why would I ever choose to miss that beautiful gift in my life?”

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13: 12)

We all seek to gain more knowledge, we all desire to know how things work and what we can do to move things along when what we desire to experience seems to be moving slowly. In our frustrations with life we often think if we could just put our hands on certain things we could push, or pull, or force what we want to happen. Our sense of needing to know, to understand and to have ready answers seems to be an entitlement that under some circumstances we need to release.

I think there can often be comfort in our not knowing, for it is in our not knowing that we realize we don’t have to control it all and we also don’t have to make everything happen. We don’t have to shoulder burdens beyond our capability, or have to feel as though we need to fix the world. Some things are just not meant to be our burden. We can relax and have trust and faith that things are being handled.

For example: We don’t have to make the universe work, God does that. We don’t have to make the tides of the ocean move in and out, God does that. We don’t have to make sure the stars stay in the sky or that the sun rises and sets each day just when it is supposed to do so. God does that. We don’t have to make our healing happen, God does that. We don’t have to make the answers to our prayers happen we just need to trust that we are unconditionally loved and blessed abundantly. God will take care of our life and do so better than we could ever imagine.

There is a great deal unknown to us about the mystery of God working in our lives. But what we can know is that God does create for us and we can see the results of that creation all around us. We need only look, and hear, and turn within and feel, to know that Spirit’s great creative energy and vibration is molding our collective and our individual world in perfect and divine order. We do not need to know the HOW because we know the WHY, and the why is that we are cherished, blessed, given the gift of perfect grace and supported and renewed beyond all human measure. We don’t have to know all the details. What we can know is that in God’s infinite wisdom and abundant power God has it all handled. We can celebrate that abundant blessing poured out to us in our gratitude and thanksgiving to Spirit/God with our each and every prayer.

So, continue to lift up your prayers to Spirit/God. Continue to let your gratitude and trust in the one great mind of intelligent grace lead you to experiencing a great awareness of your place in God’s kingdom here on earth. Continue to meditate and experience the source of God energy deep within you. Continue to connect with God in those ways that bring your awareness of God closer, trust that God has everything handled in perfect order, trust that whatever you are meant to do God will lead you to doing, and remember to be watchful and alert, for your answers and your miracles await you.

Affirmation: “I don’t have to know how God performs miracles, I only need to know that God does.”